Volunteers tackle invasives at state park

Callie Provenzano cuts down invasive plants at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave., in Laketown Township, on Sunday, March 23, 2025, as part of a volunteer stewardship workday coordinated by the state Department of Natural Resources.

Ask any of the more than 30 people bundled up at Saugatuck Dunes State Park in Laketown Township on Sunday, March 23, 2025, why they were out on a cold gray morning cutting back invasive plants and hauling away branches, and they’ll tell you it’s about lending a hand, even if that hand had to be in a glove to keep warm.

Fritz Heidema cuts invasive plants while Amanda Heidema and Gabe Heidema remove the branches at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave., in Laketown Township, on Sunday, March 23, 2025, as part of a volunteer stewardship workday coordinated by the state Department of Natural Resources.

“It’s one of our favorite places to go,” said Amanda Heidema of Zeeland, her hood up and hands in winter gloves. Her husband, Fritz, and son, Gabe, handed her branches of honeysuckle they lopped off at ground level. “We’re glad to help.”

And for Callie Provenzano, her first time volunteering at such an event: “I come here multiple times a week. It’s nice to do something productive for a local park,” she said.

Tyler Lidgard, natural resource steward, shows how to cut invasive plants at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave., in Laketown Township, on Sunday, March 23, 2025, as part of a volunteer stewardship workday coordinated by the state Department of Natural

Tyler Lidgard, natural resource steward, was glad to see so many people out at the volunteer stewardship workday at the park, 6575 138^th Ave. The event was coordinated by the state Department of Natural Resources.

Lidgard explained how to identify the invasives including autumn olive, honeysuckle and Japanese barberry. She then demonstrated how to cut them, treat the stumps so they don’t grow back and dispose of the branches.

Lucas Bruesch of Fennville cuts down invasive plants at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave., in Laketown Township, on Sunday, March 23, 2025, as part of a volunteer stewardship workday coordinated by the state Department of Natural Resources.

For Lucas Bruesch of Fennville, the work was part of his participation in Boy Scouts.

Mike Ricco of Kalamazoo treats the stumps of invasive plants at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave., in Laketown Township, on Sunday, March 23, 2025, as part of a volunteer stewardship workday coordinated by the state Department of Natural Resources.

And for Mike Ricco of Kalamazoo, taking care of the Lake Michigan shoreline and environment is a way of life. He’s the owner of Sea Michigan LLC, a group established in 2023 with a mission to inspire people to have awesome Michigan experiences, inform people how to protect and appreciate the natural resources around the lake and celebrate and support destinations including parks and beaches.

On Sunday, he hunkered down to cut out invasive honeysuckle at the 1,000-acre park.

A volunteer removes invasive plants at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave., in Laketown Township, on Sunday, March 23, 2025, as part of a volunteer stewardship workday coordinated by the state Department of Natural Resources.

Free invasives event

Invasive species will be the focus of a free event at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Carriage House at the Felt Estate, 6597 138^th Ave.

Murielle Garbarino, West Michigan CISMA coordinator, and Jason Cass, conservation technician from the Allegan Conservation District, will lead the presentation that will cover the identification of woody invasive plants. The discussion will also focus on the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), and treatment options for these.

The event is sponsored by the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission.

For more information on the event, click here.